Definite and
Indefinite pronoun
An indefinite pronoun
does not refer to any specific person, thing or amount. It is vague and
"not definite". Some typical indefinite pronouns are:
- all, another, any, anybody/anyone, anything, each, everybody/everyone, everything, few, many, nobody, none, one, several, some, somebody/someone
Note that many
indefinite pronouns also function as other parts of speech. Look at
"another" in the following sentences:
- He has one job in the day and another at night. (pronoun)
- I'd like another drink, please. (adjective)
Most
indefinite pronouns are either singular or plural. However, some of them can be
singular in one context and plural in another. The most common indefinite
pronouns are listed below, with examples, as singular, plural or
singular/plural.
Notice that a singular pronoun takes a singular verb AND that any personal pronoun should also agree (in number and gender). Look at these examples:
Notice that a singular pronoun takes a singular verb AND that any personal pronoun should also agree (in number and gender). Look at these examples:
- Each of the players has a doctor.
- I met two girls. One has given me her phone number.
Similarly,
plural pronouns need plural agreement:
- Many have expressed their views.
|
pronoun
|
meaning
|
example
|
|
singular
|
||
|
another
|
an additional or
different person or thing
|
That ice-cream was
good. Can I have another?
|
|
anybody/anyone
|
no matter what
person
|
Can anyone answer this question?
|
|
anything
|
no matter what thing
|
The doctor needs to
know if you have eatenanything in the last two hours.
|
|
each
|
every one of two or
more people or things, seen separately
|
Each has his own thoughts.
|
|
either
|
one or the other of
two people or things
|
Do you want tea or coffee?
/ I don't mind.Either is good for me.
|
|
enough
|
as much or as many
as needed
|
Enough is enough.
|
|
everybody/everyone
|
all people
|
We can start the
meeting because everybody has arrived.
|
|
everything
|
all things
|
They have no house or
possessions. They losteverything in the earthquake.
|
|
less
|
a smaller amount
|
"Less is more" (Mies van der Rohe)
|
|
little
|
a small amount
|
Little is known about his early life.
|
|
much
|
a large amount
|
Much has happend since we met.
|
|
neither
|
not one and not the
other of two people or things
|
I keep telling Jack
and Jill but neither believes me.
|
|
nobody/no-one
|
no person
|
I phoned many times
butnobody answered.
|
|
nothing
|
no single thing, not
anything
|
If you don't know the
answer it's best to saynothing.
|
|
one
|
an unidentified
person
|
Can one smoke here? | All the students arrived but now one is missing.
|
|
other
|
a different person
or thing from one already mentioned
|
One was tall and theother was short.
|
|
somebody/someone
|
an unspecified or
unknown person
|
Clearly somebodymurdered him. It was not suicide.
|
|
something
|
an unspecified or
unknown thing
|
Listen! I just heardsomething!
What could it be?
|
|
you
|
an unidentified
person (informal)
|
And you can see why.
|
|
plural
|
||
|
both
|
two people or
things, seen together
|
John likes coffee
but not tea. I think both are good.
|
|
few
|
a small number of
people or things
|
Few have ever disobeyed him and lived.
|
|
fewer
|
a reduced number of people
or things
|
Fewer are smoking these days.
|
|
many
|
a large number of
people or things
|
Many have come already.
|
|
others
|
other people; not us
|
I'm sure that othershave tried before us.
|
|
several
|
more than two but
not many
|
They all complained
andseveral left the meeting.
|
|
they
|
people in general
(informal)
|
They say that vegetables are good for you.
|
|
singular or plural
|
||
|
all
|
the whole quantity
of something or of some things or people
|
All is forgiven.
All have arrived. |
|
any
|
no matter how much
or how many
|
Is any left?
Are any coming? |
|
more
|
a greater quantity
of something; a greater number of people or things
|
There is more over there.
More are coming. |
|
most
|
the majority; nearly
all
|
Most is lost.
Most have refused. |
|
none
|
not any; no person
or persons
|
They fixed the water
so why is none coming out of the tap?
I invited five friends butnone have come.* |
|
some
|
an unspecified quantity
of something; an unspecified number of people or things
|
Here is some.
Some have arrived. |
|
such
|
of the type already
mentioned
|
He was a foreigner
and he felt that he was treated assuch.
|
* Some people say that "none" should always take a singular verb, even when talking about countable nouns (eg five friends). They argue that "none" means "no one", and "one" is obviously singular. They say that "I invited five friends but none has come" is correct and "I invited five friends but none have come" is incorrect. Historically and grammatically there is little to support this view. "None" has been used for hundreds of years with both a singular and a plural verb, according to the context and the emphasis required
